Darwin Noal Hoffman, age 88, passed away on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at his home in Greeley County, Kansas. He was born in Tribune, Kansas, to Clettis Noal and Margaret Louise Smith Hoffman on November 23, 1935, in a house built by his grandfather at the west end of town. He was a lifelong resident of Greeley County and graduated from Greeley County High School in 1953 where he was active in Hi-Y, music, one-act plays, and sports.
He was a member of the Community of Christ having been baptized at the age of fifteen at a youth camp held in the Rocky Mountains. The baptism took place in the swimming pool he helped repair earlier in the day. Locally he served the Tribune congregation in several capacities including Pastor, member of the Greeley County Ministerial Alliance, and Sunday School teacher, to name a few. At the district level of Western Kansas, he was a youth leader for several years in conjunction with the Eastern Colorado District. Three couples in Tribune found their true loves from the two districts coming together to have these combined youth camps including his son, his oldest daughter, and a nephew. He spent many Sundays as a visiting minister traveling around the Western Kansas District. His daughter, Lynda, remembers accompanying her dad many times to Hill City and watching the sun come up along the way. Darwin served the World Church as a self-sustaining Seventy for several years holding week-long series of ministry as far away as Wyoming and many other locations.
Farming and ranching was the fulfillment of a dream occupation he revealed as a senior in the Rabbit Tales. During the lean times Darwin would trim trees, shingle roofs, do interior construction, and along with his wife Barbara drove a school bus where he took the wheel on stormy or muddy days. The kids told Barbara that she was the better driver of the two as she never got stuck. In later years Darwin would say he was semi-retired meaning retired until a harvest came along that found him driving a semi.
He enjoyed welding and made a set of sweeps, a tractor cab, a pickup out of a feeder school bus, and a giant swing set for his children. His most recent welding projects included single-stem and bouquets of flowers and many other items. He loved entering these projects in the Greeley County Fair. He assisted in building the house they resided in for fifty years. He built an R.V. with his son’s assistance from the frame up and it was named, appropriately, the Travel Inn.
Another project that was close to his heart was serving in all capacities except treasurer on the Area Mental Health Board now known as Compass Behavioral Health. He served on the board for 51 years attending monthly meetings in Garden City that would go long hours into the night.
He was a member of the Jaycees and a member and leader in 4-H. He was an experienced pilot which gave him his CB handle of Sky Ryder. He enjoyed being a part of vocal groups. Music was a life-long passion of his. In addition to singing, he played the harmonica, trumpet, tuba, sousaphone, and guitar. Museums of all kinds drew his attention and he would study each exhibit and remember the information long after the visit was over.
A bit of trivia about Darwin is that he was first in line to purchase the first ticket at the new Tribune Theater when he was twelve. His last ticket purchased was last Saturday night. He so thoroughly enjoyed the show that he seriously considered going back to see the movie again on Sunday afternoon.
Darwin liked all animals. He made sure there was grain in the feeder to take care of the birds, rabbits, and occasional deer that came. His latest cat, D.C. loved to ride on the Gator with him and would not willingly relinquish his seat next to his favorite person.
Fishing was his favorite hobby and he was always ready for the next opportunity to go. Early in his life, Darwin found that he had a knack for finding water. He delighted in finding a water source for families whose well had run dry or needed a source to water their livestock.
On December 27, 1953, Darwin married Barbara Lee Young at a ceremony held in her parents’ home. The couple enjoyed a family get-together in 2023 to celebrate their seventieth wedding anniversary.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara Hoffman, his children, Debra & Ron Riley of Tribune, Kansas, Larry & Debbi Hoffman of Wichita, Kansas, Lynda & Jeff Lollar of Omaha, Nebraska, Karma & Gary Hill of Whitewater, Kansas, two stepsisters Elaine Stephens of Fowler, Colorado, Dorothy Cowden of Ordway, Colorado, step-sister-in-law Marnieta Pile of Garden City, Kansas, ten grandchildren including eight spouses, and eighteen great-grandchildren.
Darwin was preceded in death by his parents, Clettis and Margaret, and stepfather, Ross Pile, two siblings, Keith and Twilla, and one step-brother, Earl Pile.
“Outreach International” or the “Greeley County EMS” have been chosen for memorials in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home, PO Box 161, Leoti, KS 67861.
Visitation was held from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 29, 2024, and from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, September 30, 2024, at the Price and Sons Funeral Home, 322 2nd St., Tribune, Kansas 67879.
Funeral services were held at the United Methodist Church in Tribune, Kansas on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. (Mountain) with Pastor Nick Talbot and Ron Riley presiding. Services will be streamed at priceandsons.com or at https://evt.live/hoffmanservice. A graveside service will follow at the Greeley County Cemetery.
Wilma L. “Brooke” (Bishop) Cole, departed this life on June 8, 2025. Following a difficult battle with Parkinson’s Disease, she died peacefully at home. Wilma was born on January 24, 1938, to Rose Mary (McGee) Bishop and William Howard Bishop,... [More]
Mary Lou Kinlund, born on May 5, 1929, to Albert and Merry Gladys (Smades) Lucius, in Horace, was a beloved member of her community and family. She passed away peacefully in Holcomb, on June 11, 2025, at the age of 96. A dedicated and nurturing individual, Mary Lou made a significant... [More]
A Celebration of Life service for Shane Smith will be held this Saturday, June 7, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Tribune. Shane was born on March 27, 1977 in Tribune and passed away on March 1, 2025 in Tribune. In lieu of flowers, donations... [More]
Betty Jean Niswonger, age 54, passed away on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at the Destiny Support Home in Garden City. She was born on August 9, 1970, to Keith Eugene and Barbara Ann Zehm Niswonger in Leoti. Betty Jean attended Beamgard Learning Center in Atwood from elementary... [More]
The family of Rosalie Abney invites community members to join them in celebrating the life of Rosalie Ann Abney, (nee Nemechek). February 19,1940 – October 16, 2024. The family of Rosalie Abney will be gathering to celebrate her life, and they’d be honored if you’d... [More]
Jon Kelly Davidson, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, at the tranquil Kansas City Hospice House, at the age of 73. Jon was not a name familiar to those who knew him. They would’ve known him as Kelly.... [More]
James Dale Fisher, Jr., age 78, passed away at his home in Scott City on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. He was born on September 7, 1946, in Nashville, Kansas to James Dale and Mary Ann Vierthaler Fisher. After graduating from High School, James earned a B.A. in History... [More]
Dayna Ann Bechard passed away peacefully on April 2nd, 2025, in Tribune, at Greeley County Health Services. She was born in Salina, Kansas on November 7, 1978. Graduating from Tescott High School in 1997, she went on to attend Fort Hays State University. She graduated with... [More]
Sophomore Braxon Mangan and Senior Lincoln Shafer were both listed as honorable mention honorees for the Kansas Golf Coaches Association 1A State teams. Mangan and Shafer both competed in the second day of play at this year’s 1A State Golf Tournament in Dodge City, finishing... [More]
Photo Caption: Members of the Greeley County Trap Team competed at the Kansas State High School Clay Target State Tournament on Saturday, June 14. From left to right are Mia Reynolds, Branson Harris, Logan Harris, Klayton Davignon, Eli Sherer, Brodey Grubb, Rowdy Grubb, Jackson... [More]
Photo Caption: The Lady Jackrabbits competed in Scott City and Greensburg last week, playing a total of eight games in three days. In the front row are junior high substitutes Scarlett Shafer and Ellie Schneider. In the back row, from left to right, are Coach Kyle Shafer, Tylee... [More]
Lincoln Shafer played wide receiver for the west team in the 8-Man Division II All-Star Game, held Saturday, June 7, in Beloit. Shafer is a 2025 graduate of Greeley County High School and plans to play college basketball and pursue a business law degree. His parents... [More]
Photo caption: Jailyn Brandl competed in the 3,200-meter run and the 1,600-meter run at the State Tournament in Wichita, bringing home a fourth-place medal in the 3,200-meter run and a sixth-place medal in the 1,600-meter run. See additional track coverage on page 6. Jailyn... [More]
Photo caption: Lincoln Shafer placed 12th at the 1A State Golf Tournament in Dodge City. Photo by Melissa Zerr. The Greeley County High School golf team traveled to Dodge City for the 1A State Championship held at Mariah Hills on Tuesday, May 27, and Wednesday, May 28. Our... [More]
Photo Caption: Three of the teams’ four seniors Zoey Shivers, Logan Harris, and Brodey Grubb posed for a photo at trap shooting practice. Shivers finished tied for second in conference with teammate Mia Reynolds on the female side. Harris finished in sixth place in conference... [More]
Beloit will host the 40th Annual 8 Man All Star Games, on Saturday, June 7. The Division II West All Star Game will be played at 10:00 a.m. Lincoln Shafer has been selected for the Division II All Star Game. He is a 2025 graduate of Greeley County High School and plans... [More]
Photo Caption: Greeley County School Board Members Aaron Myers, Sheryl Crotinger, Shanon Schneider, Scott Clevenger, Shea Stewart, and Jessica Alexander, along with Superintendent John Niehues, officially broke ground on the new gymnasium and playground on Thursday, June 18,... [More]
Photo Caption: David and Joyce Huddleston and Lori White visit with KSN staff at the event. Photo by Sheryl Crotinger. KSN’s Good Day Kansas crew stopped through Tribune last Wednesday, June 18. Residents greeted them while all enjoyed BBQ sandwiches provided by... [More]
Photo Caption: Hallie Means took over operations of Redeeming Grounds Coffee Shop on Monday, June 23. Photo by Sheryl Crotinger. As of Monday, June 23, Hallie Means officially took over managing operations at the Redeeming Grounds Coffee Shop. Hallie,... [More]
Greeley County Community Development is announcing a change to the traditional Independence Day celebration this year. To better serve the community and cap off a major community event, the annual Greeley County Fireworks Show will be moved to Saturday, August 2, the... [More]
Photo Caption: The Hopkins family started cutting the afternoon of Sunday, June 22, along Road 78 south of Towner. The drying winds and 100-degree days led to a more than ready-to-cut moisture test. Conditions reminiscent of a blast furnace have sped the ripening of this year’s... [More]
Unapproved Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the USD #200 Board of Education held June 9, 2025, 6 p.m. Board members present: Sheryl Crotinger, Shea Stewart, Shanon Schneider, Aaron Myers, Kenton Mangan, and Jessica Alexander. Scott Clevenger was absent. Superintendent... [More]
by Sheryl Crotinger Regular Meeting, June 23, 2025 Present: Alan Waggoner, Monty Moritz, Steve Mangan, Scott Steele, Stan Shafer Also present: Utility Administrator Stephanie Elliott, County Clerk Jerri Young, County Treasurer Diane Gentry, Road and Bridge Supervisor Dan... [More]
The nearly four years Ross Marlow, Physician Assistant at Greeley County Health Services, spent there have been “More than an opportunity,” he said. “It’s been a blessing.” Marlow, who had recently graduated when he began working in Greeley... [More]
By Ben Palen Also published in the Kansas Reflector Back in November, I wrote a column for Kansas Reflector that discussed the likely adverse effects of President Trump’s proposed tariffs on U.S. farmers. The piece noted that 398 million acres of cropland has been... [More]
Donald Trump is not our king. He was elected with less than 50 percent of the popular vote and his margin of victory was 1.5 percent. There is no mandate in those numbers. Our elected members of Congress have a sworn duty to support and defend the Constitution and the... [More]
On March 1 at Oakley in western Kansas, Sen. Roger Marshall held a town hall meeting for area constitutents wanting to know more about activities in Washington DC that have impacts on them. The following written questions were submitted by Louise Ehmke. Unfortunately they were... [More]
Sometimes I wonder what drives our government to do things in our name but don’t make sense. With regard to our School Bond election and the Kansas Attorney General’s ruling, how can it be that a law is enacted that has such serious flaws in it. SB 221... [More]
In about two weeks or so, it will be Election Day. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I cannot wait for it to be over. I will not say another word about the campaigns because my mother told me, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at... [More]
As we celebrate National 4-H Week this week, 4-H Members across the country are celebrating this wonderful youth organization with Friends, Family, and the Communities that support this youth development program. In addition to celebrating the hard-work and dedication of... [More]
In 2023, we visited our good friends Julie and Bill Lawrence of Tribune, Kansas. We fell in love with Tribune! During one of our subsequent visits, we found and purchased a great house and will move in, in 2026. Everyone, and I mean everyone, we’ve come... [More]
Dear families and community members, I hope this message finds you well. I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support and engagement with our school community. Over the past few weeks, we have become aware of an issue regarding our school bond vote. As... [More]
©2025 Greeley County Republican. Powered by Pluto Sites.